----------------------------Original message----------------------------
The latest OED does a surprisingly good job, with modern American
          examples and how they've deflected/focused meaning. the
          first English usage dates from ca. 1575-1620, long before
          the Frence adopt contours on nautical charts in 1725 (Josef
          Konvitz, "Cartography in France, 1660-1848," p. 67). The
          Greek prefix remains important, as well, being Top- or Topo
          and referring to a "place." question: did they always locate
          cities/places at the highest elevation consistant with
          other considertions (i.e. on a hilltop)?  LC
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
----------------------------Original message----------------------------
I am sure that others will check their favorite dictionary about this, as
I did check Webster's Ninth New Collegiate Dictionary (c1986).  This has
as definition 1a "the art or practice of graphic delineation in detail
usu. on maps or charts of natural or man-made features of a place or
region esp. in a way to show their relative positions and elevations" and
1b is "topographical surveying".  Its 2a definition states "the
configuration of a surface including its relief and the position of its
natural and man-made features" while 2b is "the physical or natural
features of an object or entity and their structural relationships."  It
has no additional definitions. Though some street maps show a lot of
detail, it is true, I would not normally call them topographic maps.
 
|===========================================================================|
|Alberta Auringer Wood, Map Librarian, Memorial University of Newfoundland, |
|St. John's, Newfoundland, CANADA  A1B 3Y1.  phone: 709-737-8892;           |
|     fax: 709-737-2153;     Internet:  [log in to unmask]             |
|===========================================================================|
 
 
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